Posts by Rosanne Cubitt
Managing Conflict and Arguments at Home during Covid 19 Lockdown measures
Spending time with others under the current circumstances is likely to result in disputes and arguments at some point. Everyone is experiencing some loss and change to their normal way of life, and may be feeling anxious and stressed. The conflict in your household may be something that was there in your family or partner…
Read MoreTop Tips for Parenting when Living Apart, during the Covid-19 Pandemic
These are unprecedented and challenging times. Protecting our physical and mental health, and that of our children, is a priority. Relationships in families can be very important in helping us through stress, but they can also come under strain themselves. There are particular challenges for children currently whose parents live in different homes. Some top…
Read MoreBryan Clark and Gerry Keegan: Make sure that you keep communicating when it’s time to split
It is beyond doubt that splitting up can be immensely difficult and emotionally draining. Throw children into the mix and the stakes get higher, with the potential to push warring parents to their limits. In the midst of this crisis, parents may find it impossible to keep communication channels open to take the best decisions…
Read MoreKids have opinions too – listen to what they want when a family breaks up
Ensuring that the best interests of the child are at the centre of decisions that adults make which affect them is a key principle enshrined in Scottish law since the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. But how do parents agree what is best for children, particularly if they are splitting up under difficult circumstances and they…
Read MoreLittle Voice
Article 12 of the UNCRC states that children’s voices must be sought, listened to, and taken into account in matters affecting them. Rosanne Cubitt explains how this right is being respected for children in cases of parental separation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children who are capable of…
Read MoreRosanne Cubitt: Enduring conflict more upsetting for kids than a well managed separation
January is a time of year when many people who have realised that their relationship is over, start the process of leaving their partner. They might have been thinking of divorcing for a while, but they wait until after Christmas so that their family can enjoy the holidays. Sometimes the strains of the festive season…
Read MoreGiving Children and Young People a Voice when Parents Separate – How Mediation can Help
Since the 1990s a noticeable shift within Scottish culture has occurred – it is now expected that children’s opinions will be sought and considered on a wide range of issues. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children who are capable of forming a view have a right to express those…
Read MoreSupporting developments in Family Mediation – with our neighbours!
I was delighted to be invited to attend the launch of an exciting new family mediation research initiative in South County Dublin in May this year, alongside the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin Vickers. The Family Mediation Project is offering means-tested family mediation to parents, grandparents and their children in their communities. The innovative process…
Read MoreA future for European collaboration? Learning how best to help children whose parents are in dispute
As the sole representative from Scotland at an international consultation event on modern family justice I was both intrigued and excited to be heading to Windsor Castle for 24 hours on 12th February. Relate and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) hosted a discussion for 30 ‘experts in the field’, from lawyers to…
Read MoreParenting Apart – free support for families whose parents live apart
Families across Scotland can continue to benefit from the insights gained by participating in a Parenting Apart session – for free. The Scottish Government have recently confirmed that funding to allow these sessions to be developed and offered from Relationships Scotland’s family mediation services will continue for a third year. Parenting Apart information/education sessions are…
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